Image provided by the Spanish Navy, by the high patrol officer Infanta Elena

The "Infanta Elena" high patrol will carry out, for four months, various cooperation activities with countries on the west coast of the African continent, which the Ministry of Defence and the Navy carry out under the Defence Diplomacy Plan.

This deployment of a Spanish Navy ship aims to strengthen maritime security activities in the area, as well as capacities with coastal countries, through military cooperation and cooperative security activities. By seeking to improve the capacities of these countries to deal with threats, such as piracy, immigration and illegal fishing, which may put national interests at risk.

During the deployment it will participate in two international exercises, Obangame Express and Nemo 18, with the aim of improving the maritime safety capabilities and interoperability of the forces involved.

The deployment of a Spanish Navy ship in this area aims to increase maritime stability and security in the Gulf of Guinea area, increasing the operational capacities of West African nations through joint training exercises. Other nations also participate in these exercises on a regular basis, such as the United States, Germany, Italy, Portugal, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium or Denmark.

During its deployment by Africa, the patrol officer will also support the Defence Diplomacy Plan, a set of international activities, based mainly on dialogue and cooperation, carried out by the Ministry of Defence on a bilateral level with Spanish partner and partner countries, with the aim of promoting the implementation of the objectives of defence policy, such as conflict prevention or the strengthening of security capacities.